1894 Florida Panhandle hurricane

February 2025 Florida Panhandle hurricane weather map, October 8, 1894.jpg Weather map of the hurricane making landfall in the Florida Panhandle at peak intensity on October 8 October 1, 1894 October 10, 1894 105 955 1894 At least 28 > 200000 Cuba, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada 1894 Atlantic hurricane season The 1894 Florida Panhandle hurricane devastated the northern parts of the state in early October. First observed over the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 1, the system moved northwestward and intensified into a hurricane on October 3 while passing northeast of Honduras. Late on the October 5, the cyclone passed near western Cuba as it entered the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane strengthened farther, peaking as a Category 3 hurricane on the present-day Saffir–Simpson scale. After turning northward and then northeastward late on October 8, the system struck near Panama City, Florida, early the next day. The hurricane weakened quickly as it moved inland, deteriorating to a tropical storm over South Carolina on October 9. However, the storm emerged into the Atlantic Ocean early on the following day and soon re-strengthened into a hurricane. On October 10, the system made landfall near Bellport, New York, as a Category 1 with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), shortly before striking Connecticut and weakening to a tropical storm. Becoming extratropical over Maine late on October 10, the storm's remnants continued northeastward into Atlantic Canada before dissipating over Labrador on October 12. The hurricane dropped heavy rains over western Cuba, flooding a few towns. Storm surge impacted Louisiana and Mississippi, submerging land south of Pointe à la Hache in the former, while washing away a 1000 ft m on section of railroad and wrecking vessels on Horn Island in the latter. Winds caused some damage, especially in Mississippi City, Mississippi, where several outbuildings and a church were destroyed. In Florida, extensive impact occurred, with the Weather Bureau reporting that every town between Jacksonville and Pensacola sustained damage, especially to crops. Seventeen people died in Florida, fifteen due to vessels wrecking at Sand Island, near St. George Island. At least $100,000 (1894 USD) in damage occurred in Florida.All damage figures are in 1894 USD, unless otherwise noted "nb" The storm impacted much of the rest of the East Coast of the United States, especially New Jersey and New York. In the former, one person died in Englewood after a chimney fell inside a home. The New York City area suffered extensively, with Long Island City alone reporting about $100,000 in damage. Winds generated by the storm toppled a seven-story building under construction onto a tenement, killing 10 people and seriously injuring 15 others. Meteorological history 1894 Atlantic hurricane 5 track.png Atmospheric pressures fell in Nicaragua and Panama and in the Caribbean Sea offshore Colombia on October 1. Consequently, the official track for this cyclone begins at 00:00 UTC on October 1 approximately 175 mi km on 5 east of San Andrés island. Beginning as a 40 mph (65 km/h)-tropical storm, the system slowed intensified as it headed northwestward, though the Monthly Weather Review noted that the cyclone "apparently did not grow in size". Around 12:00 UTC on October 3, the system strengthened into a hurricane while passing northeast of Honduras and then to a Category 2 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale in the northwestern Caribbean on October 4. Late on the following day, the cyclone crossed between Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula, passing about 45 mi km on 5 west of Cabo San Antonio. As the system entered the Gulf of Mexico early on October 6, it intensified into a Category 3. The hurricane strengthened slightly further in the Gulf of Mexico, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) around 12:00 UTC. Around midday on October 7, the cyclone turned northward, before curving again to the northeast late on October 8. Around 03:00 UTC on the following day, the system made landfall near Panama City, Florida, at the same intensity, based on the Johann Ludwig observing a barometric pressure of 961 mbar inHg on on at 14:00 UTC on October 6. A 2003 reanalysis of the storm estimated that the barometric pressure fell to 955 mbar inHg on at landfall, the lowest in relation to the cyclone.Christopher W. Landsea etal Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadata_master.html Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory July 13, 2023 The hurricane weakened quickly as it moved inland, deteriorating to a tropical storm over South Carolina by 18:00 UTC on October 9. However, the storm emerged into the Atlantic Ocean early on the following day and soon became a hurricane again. left|thumb|Weather map of the hurricane approaching landfall in Long Island on October 10 Around 15:00 UTC on October 10, then system made landfall near Bellport, New York, on Long Island with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), based on Atlantic City, New Jersey, recording a barometric pressure of 984 mbar inHg on. The cyclone struck Connecticut and weakened to a tropical storm, shortly before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone over western Maine. Thereafter, the extratropical remnants of the storm continued northeastward into Atlantic Canada, until dissipating over Labrador on October 12. A reanalysis study by climate researcher Michael Chenoweth, published in 2014, proposed that this storm actually developed near the Caribbean coast of Colombia on September 26. After initially drifting west-northwestward, the cyclone moves in a path similar to that indicated in HURDAT. However, Chenoweth argued that the cyclone made landfall farther southeast in Florida, near Apalachicola instead.Michael Chenoweth A New Compilation of North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1851–98 Journal of Climate December 2014 27 12 8674–8685 10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00771.1 American Meteorological Society 2014JCli...27.8674C free Impact thumb|right|1896 map of Louisiana In Cuba, the storm brought heavy rainfall and floods from Santa Clara westward.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/Partagas/1894-1897/1894.pdf Year 1894 José Fernández Partagás 1996 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 12, 2023 The worst impacts occurred in Pinar del Río Province – Cuba's westernmost province – where rivers in the Vuelta Abajo region overflowed. News reports described the towns of Guara, Pinar del Río, and San Cristóbal as being "under water". Railway service was suspended.https://www.newspapers.com/article/decatur-daily-republican/128079429/ 4 October 6, 1894 Heavy Rains and Floods in Cuba Decatur Daily Republican July 12, 2023 Newspapers.com Impacts along the Gulf Coast of the United States extended as far west as Louisiana. Little impact occurred in New Orleans other than in West End, where water entered the yards of several cottages and completely submerged the eastern sections of the neighborhood after about 10 ft m on of revetment atop the levees washed away. One cottage was swept away and destroyed. The yacht club suffered about $500 in damage. Damage in the West End neighborhood totaled about $850. Additionally, Bayou St. John overflowed and left roads near Spanish Fort inundated with about 2 ft m on of water.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune/128099641/ Police Report The Daily Picayune October 9, 1894 July 12, 2023 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Newspapers.com Farther south, significant losses to orange, rice, and sugarcane crops occurred between Bohemia and Favrot,https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune/128103524/ Down The Coast The Daily Picayune October 9, 1894 July 12, 2023 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Newspapers.com although little crop damage was noted at the nearby community of Pointe à la Hache. There, all land was submerged in at least 6 in mm on of water.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune/128104078/ Pointe à la Hache The Daily Picayune October 9, 1894 July 12, 2023 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Newspapers.com From Pointe à la Hache southward, "the whole country was underwater, no landmarks visible.", according to The Daily Picayune. A train heading from Buras to Algiers was delayed due to several uprooted trees along the tracks. The hurricane produced rainfall, high tides, and wind along coastal Mississippi. In Mississippi City, winds destroyed a black church that had been knocked off its foundation during a hurricane in the previous year, while the storm also reportedly demolished several outbuildings and uprooted trees in the Handsboro section.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune/128105429/ Mississippi City The Daily Picayune October 9, 1894 July 12, 2023 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Newspapers.com Wind gusts reached 60 mph km/h on in Ocean Springs, leaving little wind damage other than a few downed fences. Rough seas washed out approximately 1000 ft m on of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad between West Pascagoula and Scanton (modern-day Pascagoula), but it was quickly repaired.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune/128105947/ Ocean Springs The Daily Picayune October 9, 1894 July 12, 2023 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Newspapers.com Several vessels wrecked at Horn Island.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune/128106693/ Scranton The Daily Picayune October 9, 1894 July 12, 2023 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Newspapers.com In Alabama, the storm produced sustained winds up to 40 mph km/h on at Mobile, causing little impact other than downed telegraph wires and isolated power outages.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-gauge/128119068/ October 11, 1894 The Storm 3 The Standard Gauge Brewton, Alabama July 12, 2023 Newspapers.com thumb|left|Western Florida Panhandle in 1890 Strong winds occurred across the Florida Panhandle and North Florida. According to a report by the Weather Bureau, "Every city and town between Jacksonville and Pensacola was damaged more or less. [...] This storm was the most violent one which has passed near Jacksonville during the past 23 years." Much of this portion of Florida also experienced significant losses to unpicked cotton, oranges, pecan, and sugarcane.Jay Barnes Florida's Hurricane History https://archive.org/details/floridashurrican00barn registration 76 2007 University of North Carolina Press 978-0807858097 Pensacola observed sustained winds of 68 mph km/h on and gusts up to 85 mph km/h on, resulting in a 3-story office building being deroofed and a machine shop and opera house being partially deroofed. Winds also destroyed a church and toppled fences, trees, and outhouses. Abnormally high tides completely submerged Santa Rosa Island, threatening the island's life-saving station and quarantine facility.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pensacola-news/128122902/ The Storm October 9, 1894 The Daily News 1 July 12, 2023 Pensacola, Florida Newspapers.com Two dwellings adjacent to the Cape San Blas Lighthouse were destroyed, while the lighthouse itself sustained major damage. On Sand Island, located near St. George Island, a search discovered the wreckage of three vessels, which had been occupied by 15 crew members. The Daily News remarked that "it looked as if the men tried to save themselves upon the masts."October 12, 1894 The Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pensacola-news/128185108/ Echoes of the Storm 1 July 13, 2023 Pensacola, Florida Newspapers.com In Apalachicola, tides pushed water up to 3 ft m on above ground in the stores along the coast. Winds shifted several homes off their foundations and tossed several boats into the marsh.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser/128134409/ Pensacola The Montgomery Advertiser October 12, 1894 2 July 13, 2023 Newspapers.com Two people died in Apalachicola. Carrabelle recorded sustained winds of 75 - 80 mph km/h on and tides up to 12 ft m on above the high water mark. All but two boats were beached and wrecked, while waves washed away shanties along the Carrabelle River. Strong winds also demolished about 15 homes. Damage in the town totaled approximately $10,000. In Lanark Village, the cyclone demolished bathhouses and the pavilion. Although Tallahassee also reported intense winds and heavy rainfall, the storm dealt little impact other than a few downed fences and trees.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/128135985/ October 12, 1894 Tallahassee In The Tornado The Morning News 2 July 13, 2023 Savannah, Georgia Newspapers.com Cedar Key reportedly experienced its worst storm in 25 years.https://www.newspapers.com/article/alexandria-gazette/128135328/ Damages By The Storm October 12, 1894 2 Alexandria Gazette and Virginia Advertiser July 13, 2023 Newspapers.com Waves submerged the business district and carried away roughly 40,000 cedar logs from mill yards. Heavy impact also occurred due to winds, damaging fish houses, small dwellings, the ice factory, the railroad tracks, and city hall. The Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad also received major damage, with approximately 3.5 mi km on of tracks leading to the mainland being destroyed or substantially damaged. Additionally, the steamer Media was destroyed, a loss of approximately $3,500. Gusty winds damaged awnings, signs, and trees in Gainesville, and blew many oranges off their trees.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/128157174/ Gleaned at Gainesville The Morning News 2 July 13, 2023 Savannah, Georgia Newspapers.com Similarly, the nearby community of Candler and neighboring Putnam County also sustained extensive losses to orange crops.https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00086614/00009/zoom/0 The Recent Storm October 12, 1894 1 The Times-Herald Palatka, Florida July 13, 2023https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/128181702/ Heavy Damage to Oranges The Morning News 2 July 13, 2023 Savannah, Georgia Newspapers.com The hurricane produced sustained winds of 49 mph km/h on and gusts up to 56 mph km/h on in Jacksonville. Despite being more intense than the September storm, less damage occurred in Jacksonville as a result of this hurricane. About $5,000 in damage was reported to small boats and wharves,http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/history/ Chronological Listing of Tropical Cyclones affecting North Florida and Coastal Georgia 1565-1899 Al Sandrik Christopher W. Landsea May 2003 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 13, 2023 Miami, Florida while the cyclone ripped off tin roofs and toppled fences and trees. Damage in the city totaled about $25,000.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pensacola-news/128159166/ The Storm October 11, 1894 The Daily News 1 July 13, 2023 Pensacola, Florida Newspapers.com Throughout the state of Florida, at least $100,000 in damage occurred.Climatological Data https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-DBC26E27-8792-4F3F-AE46-F5B6E2949DF7.pdf Report of the Florida Weather Service for the Year 1894 1 Weather Bureau Jacksonville, Florida September 1895 January 31, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20240610055823/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-DBC26E27-8792-4F3F-AE46-F5B6E2949DF7.pdf June 10, 2024 In Georgia, the storm produced wind gusts up to 72 mph km/h on on Tybee Island. However, the direction of the wind prevented elevated tides, while preparations mitigated any potential damage. Winds also caused little impact in Savannah, mainly limited to damage to signs, awnings, and some vegetation. Along the coastal region of Georgia, rice farmers suffered a loss of about 10% of their crops. Heavy rains fell across Georgia and South Carolina, with both states recording peak totals around 5 in mm on of rain.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/128329016/ The Storm Passed By October 10, 1894 The Morning News 8 Savannah, Georgia July 17, 2023 Newspapers.com In North Carolina, the storm generated sustained winds of 58 mph km/h on at Kitty Hawk and 60 mph km/h on at Hatteras,https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/6403 Tropical cyclones affecting North Carolina since 1586: An historical perspective James E. Hudgins April 2000 National Weather Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 21 July 27, 2023 PDF while the Weekly Star estimated that wind gusts reached 80 mph km/h on at Southport. There, winds blew away the frame of the Order of Odd Fellows lodge, causing about $1,000 in damage. Strong winds also led to a disruption of telegraph service in the Wilmington area. Washouts occurred along Wilmington, Newbern and Norfolk Railroad near Folkstone and the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railway between Autryville and Roseboro.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weekly-star/128943927/ The Gulf Storm 2 October 12, 1894 Weekly Star Wilmington, North Carolina July 27, 2023 Newspapers.com The hurricane produced rough seas along coastal Virginia and in the Chesapeake Bay. The schooners Lorena Reen, John H. Cross, and the bark Ogin capsized, while the Henry Lippet suffered major damage just south of Fort Monroe. Additionally, the steamer Louise broke free from its moorings, and while being retrieved, the ship City of Columbia accidentally crashed into it, causing about $2,000 worth of repair work.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot/128989777/ Newport News Items 4 October 11, 1894 The Virginian-Pilot Norfolk, Virginia July 27, 2023 Newspapers.com On land, sustained winds reached 60 mph km/h on in Newport News, downing many fences and trees across the town. Heavy rainfall in Portsmouth left up to 1 ft m on of water on Washington Street.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-portsmouth-star/128990106/ Water Twelve Inches Deep on Washington Street October 10, 1894 The Portsmouth Star 1 July 27, 2023 Newspapers.com In Maryland, a steam barge was beached close to Baltimore Harbor,https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/valate19hur.htm David Roth Hugh Cobb Late Nineteenth Century Virginia Hurricanes July 16, 2001 Hydrometeorological Prediction Center July 27, 2023 while a large schooner went ashore at Deal Island and another at Eastport, which is now part of Annapolis. The Baltimore Sun described Hooper Strait as being "full of floating trees and debris which was blown off the shore by the gale."https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun/128992836/ The Storm-Swept Bay 2 October 11, 1894 The Baltimore Sun July 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Winds produced by the cyclone in Delaware downed several large trees in Wilmington, but caused little damage other than the destruction of the second story of a building. High tides inundated the Harlan and Hollingsworth shipyard and a blacksmith shop.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/128995098/ Late Night's Storm October 10, 1894 5 The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware July 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Heavy rains in eastern Pennsylvania delayed the Ontario and Western Railway train at Jermyn, while also flooding several of the town's streets and rendering thousands of dollars in damage.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-post/133676745/ 1 Storm Damage at Jermyn, Pa. October 11, 1894 The Morning Post October 25, 2023 Camden, New Jersey Newspapers.com In New Jersey, strong winds toppled wires and "caused several accidents" in Jersey City, according to the Paterson Daily Press, killing two horses. Stormy conditions also disrupted trolley service in the city. A pharmacy suffered significant damage to its merchandise after winds broke the storefront window in the Bergen Section, while many legal records were destroyed following the shattering of a window at a courthouse. Within the Communipaw section of Jersey City, many vessels suffered some degree of damage.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-city-news/133667750/ Night of Disaster October 10, 1894 The Jersey City News 1 October 18, 2023 Newspapers.com One death occurred in Englewood after a chimney collapsed in on a home.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k2tVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3j4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1835%2C5123593 1 Killed in Her Bed Paterson Daily Press October 10, 1894 October 18, 2023 Gusty winds in Hudson City shattered several windows, ripped shutters off some homes, and downed several trees, including at least four large trees, leaving some streets impassible. In the state of New York, the New York City area suffered extensively, with Long Island City alone reporting about $100,000 in damage.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/142830955/ Great Loss of Property in Long Island City October 10, 1894 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 12 January 31, 2025 Newspapers.com Winds generated by the storm toppled a seven-story building under construction onto a tenement, killing 10 people and seriously injuring 15 others.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k2tVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3j4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1835%2C5123593 1 Death Dealing Storm Paterson Daily Press October 10, 1894 January 31, 2025 A group which included President Grover Cleveland, private secretary Henry T. Thurber, former Massachusetts governor William E. Russell, and Elias Cornelius Benedict, encountered the storm while sailing from Naushon Island to Woods Hole. The party had difficulty docking their steam launch, known as the Coyell, at the main wharf due to rough seas, forcing them to instead land at the United States Fish Commission Station's wharf.https://www.newspapers.com/article/fall-river-daily-evening-news/134071990/ President Gets a Wetting October 11, 1894 Fall River Daily Evening News 1 October 25, 2023 Newspapers.com See also List of Cuba hurricanes List of Florida hurricanes (pre-1900) List of New England hurricanes List of New Jersey hurricanes List of New York hurricanes List of North Carolina hurricanes (pre-1900) Notes nb References External links Monthly Weather Review Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project page for 1894 Category:Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes Category:Hurricanes in Cuba Category:Hurricanes in Florida Category:Hurricanes in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Hurricanes in South Carolina Category:Hurricanes in North Carolina Category:Hurricanes in Virginia Category:Hurricanes in New Jersey Category:Hurricanes in New York (state) Category:Hurricanes in New England Category:1894 natural disasters in the United States Category:October 1894 in the United States